Abuse at any stage of life is hard and traumatic, but a susceptible group is juveniles. Living through abuse in that sensitive period of growth is not only hard for them but also for their parents.
While managing their own pain, parents must be informative and ready to help their child overcome trauma with appropriate help and the right strategy.
Here is some advice that should help parents support their children through that difficult journey, as well as how to get legal support.
Long-term Consequences of Detention Center Abuse on Mental Health
Children who suffer abuse in detention centers are often not treated properly. Because of the extremely unpleasant environment that they are staying in, their problems can grow into serious mental conditions.
Not dealing with such issues in a timely manner can not only be detrimental for that person’s mental health (especially long-term), but it will also increase the chance of that person not seeking help, but instead looking for help in what they find familiar (which is often violence, and illegal activities). And this can easily turn into a vicious cycle where the youth reoffends or worse.
Recognizing the signs of a disturbed mental state is crucial in the right-time reaction and support and seeking help from professionals in that area who specialize in trauma.
(At Least) 4 Steps Parents Can Take to Help
Every child sees their parents as two pillars, and in their time of need, they hold onto them. That is a natural and healthy process, which is why parent’s support after trauma is crucial in recovery and healing.
Here are some important steps parents can take to help children feel safe and supported to heal.
- Safe/Supportive Environment
The first thing to do is to listen. Not judge, not opinionate. Just listen. Regardless of whether you approve or not, or even have something to say about it, keep it to yourself (at least, for the moment).
Allowing children to express their thoughts without fear of reproduction or judgment can help children open up and help them build trust and a bond with their listeners (family, friends, therapist).
This process also helps children come to you on their own the next time anything similar happens.
- Open Communication
Active listening is key here. Allow your child to express their own feelings. Children view the world around them differently. Try to remember how much you’ve changed since you were a child. That change still (likely) hasn’t happened in your child.
And even though your viewpoints and priorities might not be aligned, you should still listen to THEIR experiences and feelings. Validation is also very important.
Furthermore, listen to your child not when it’s convenient for you but rather when they’re ready to talk. Later, you can establish rules (in case you’re doing something that cannot be postponed/delayed, such as an ongoing meeting or something similar).
- Professional Mental Health Support
Support from parents (both parents) is paramount. This goes without saying. However, depending on the severity of their child’s mental health, it could be beneficial to also seek professional help.
This, for children, can be scary, or even embarrassing (as it impedes onto their egos and self-esteem); but it isn’t. As you’d take medicine when you’re down with the flu, professional mental help is the remedy for these types of situations.
Support therapy is also helpful – trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).
- Restorative Activities
Nature is the remedy for most issues. The same applies here. The soothing, peaceful environment that nature provides is helpful for children to reconnect with their families after traumatic events.
Also, consider outdoor activities as a family (e.g., hiking, camping, swimming).
The Importance of Legal Support in the Healing Process
Victims are usually looking for closure, and they find it in achieving justice. Consulting with a juvenile detention sexual abuse lawyer can play a significant role in a child’s recovery and be, besides emotional support, a crucial element in the healing process.
A juvenile detention sexual abuse lawyer can help you handle complex legal processes and ensure that those responsible for the abuse of children are held accountable.
In that way, parents can focus on their children’s overall well-being while the lawyer worries about all legal procedures.
Don’t Let Your Child Stay Isolated
Involving in society after that kind of trauma is extremely important for recovery and reclaiming childhood. Many organizations offer free-of-cost support and help children and their parents share their experiences in a safe environment with the right support.
Check where you can find appropriate support groups near you and get the help you need.
Statistics about Juvenile Sexual Abuse
- According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), over 70% of youth in the juvenile justice system experience mental health disorders. Nearly 20% of these youth suffer from severe mental health issues, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, which are often exacerbated by experiences of abuse while in detention.
- A study done by the National Center for Mental Health and Juvenile Justice (NCMHJJ) indicates that it’s 10 times more likely for youth in detention to suffer from PTSD compared to their non-detained peers, with an increased prevalence in those who have experienced abuse.
- Studies indicate that youth who experience trauma in detention, including abuse, have a higher likelihood of reoffending. This correlation underscores the need for trauma-informed approaches and legal intervention to prevent repeated cycles of detention (The Sentencing Project).
- Reports by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) show that treating youth with severe trauma-related mental health issues can cost families and the healthcare system between $20,000 and $40,000 annually per individual. Access to timely legal and mental health support can help reduce these costs by preventing worsening mental health conditions.
- Youth with access to legal representation and advocacy are more likely to have positive mental health outcomes. Effective legal intervention can result in higher compensation and support for treatment, which aids in recovery and reintegration (Juvenile Law Center).
- According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), approx. 12% of youth in juvenile facilities report sexual victimization by staff or peers.
Conclusion
Children/youth who’ve suffered any type of abuse (sexual and non-sexual in nature) will require care and support to get through their difficulties (regardless of how ‘fine’ they may seem, they are not fine).
That support must first come from family (if available), and then from support groups and professional therapists (one does not exclude the other – more is better, in these types of cases).
Once the child is set on a path toward recovery, they will also need legal help, and it is imperative to find a lawyer/attorney who operates in the city/town (or at least the State) where the incident occurred.
All of this will help the victim feel safe and encourage them further (boost self-esteem and spirit) so that they can get back into society and get on with their lives without these issues weighing them down.
2 Interlinking Suggestions:
From https://anationofmoms.com/2024/09/nursing-home-abuse-law.html with anchor text sexual abuse
From https://anationofmoms.com/2024/01/domestic-violence-issues.html with anchor text process for pressing charges
Leave A Comment